Chapter 10: Caught

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Reaching into the dumb waiter, I carefully pulled out the king's sheets. Hidden within a pillowcase, I took out a sock I'd snuck in earlier. Concealing it in my trouser pocket, I tidied everything away and went to drop off the laundry.

Three days left. Time had moved both incredibly quickly, yet painfully slowly as I struggled to get to sleep each night in fear of the upcoming journey home. To ease my passage, I'd snuck out a few inconspicuous items of clothing carrying my mate's scent and hidden them in a sealed pocket within the lining of my rucksack. It was risky; if I was caught, I doubt I could come up with a plausible excuse to explain them.

I was ashamed to admit it, but two nights ago when the insomnia was at its worse, I had dug out one of my carefully preserved shirts of his and nuzzled it against my face to help me rest. I slept for six solid hours.

To my shame, Edna had been nothing but supportive about my going back. Sometimes apologising for not offering me home leave sooner or not finding a way to lighten my workload. I would always bat her guilt down, knowing I did not deserve it. The weight of my lies now hanging heavier than ever over my head.

To his credit, Henry had not grumbled about my going again once. Even going so far as to make jokes about the back-waters of the Bane Pack and how I'd come crawling back when I realised how much I'd miss him and our strange morning routine. I laughed; his humour rang truer than he knew.

Whilst Henry was guarding the door and not dropping in to talk to me to alleviate his boredom, I couldn't resist running my hands along the woodwork of the King's furniture and along the spines of books left out. It was in those moments that I finally allowed my thoughts to break rank and I'd find myself daydreaming of a future that was never meant to be.

Mealtimes and socialising in the evenings were a slightly awkward affair. The girls I grew up with were mostly all understanding, citing their observations that I had always been a 'home girl'. Yet, Alice, and I swear a few of her closer friends, kept looking at me with clear suspicion and confusion in their eyes.

After being ill, Melissa and Sam had started to visit my room more often to play cards and just have a gossip (not that I ever had much to add). But, in the last few days, their communication with me had cooled and I had caught them whispering about me once or twice, only to stop when they realised I was close by. Their eyes lingering on the grey pallor of my skin and the sickly thinness of my body.

Definitely time to go; I'd long outstayed my welcome. I was healthy enough to make the journey home, but I was under no illusions that my health would plummet drastically the further away I got. Hence, I'd dipped into my savings (what did it matter to save?) and bought an expensive ticket for the more luxurious travelling coach to take me back. It would be six long days regardless. I had a few books and clothes to pack, but not much. Everything I had earned I planned to give to my parents.

Mulling over logisitics, I didn't see them until it was too late. Coming into the foyer of the human quarters, two oversized Delta warriors stood inside the door checking people as they came in. They had cleverly stood just inside out of initial eyesight, so none of workers would have been able to change course without looking suspicious. 

They didn't wear armour, a good yet patronising sign. A quick glance told me they were the typical Delta frame, although they didn't have the friendly grin of Henry. These wolfmen were here on official business. Dread pooled in my stomach like stone weights; a quick surmise told me they were only checking the females and ignoring the human males. 

I was stuck behind two older women, humans raised in the city. Already they were being asked for their "Name and previous place of residence".

Steeling myself, I told myself I was jumping to conclusions as to why they were here. "Name." One of the burly warrior's spoke, a hard-edge in his voice.

"Rose Tyler" I whispered, palms sweaty. Pause.

"Previous place of residence" continued the warrior, but the dread in my stomach had grown in size. I'd heard him hesitate and his companion had turned towards us. A small queue of humans now shuffling behind me, stopping me from running (not that I'd even bother).

There was no point lying; these warriors were trained to read heartbeats and body language. "Bane Territories", I was ashamed to say my voice turned so quiet I doubt anyone but a Wolfman could here.

Another pause.

"You need to come with us." No negotiation or option for challenge. They were at least two feet taller than me and could probably carry me where ever they wanted using just one of their mighty paws. I nodded my acquiescence, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment as the humans around me looked on with curiosity.

They didn't touch me, which I was grateful for. But, I was expected to follow the one who'd spoken to me down the main corridor. Gratefully, he walked slowly for me to keep pace. Although that furthered my dread, they'd been told about my limp. The other Delta falling into close step behind me.

I didn't bother looking back. I knew where we were heading. I could guess who would be there.

Edna's cosy office at the back of the building; a home away from home these last long months. A place of refuge now turned to executioner's hall.

The Delta didn't bother knocking; he knew he was expected. Inside, Edna stood crying in one corner. My heart broke. Another large Wolfman sat at her desk, making her equipment and furniture look like a children's playthings. I recognised him: Gamma Stephan. This was as bad as it could be, and whilst a small part of me had nursed a tiny hope that this was me being found out for stealing. That hope died a rapid death when I saw Alice turn around, sat in a chair in front the Gamma's desk. Her eyes also wet with tears and a faint look of apology mixed with self-righteousness in her face.

"Rose Tyler?" the Gamma spoke, not shouting just calming affirming my identity.

The Delta behind me had closed the door, but kept guard outside. No one was getting in or out without this man's say so. My fate was sealed regardless; pride and dignity replaced my dread for a moment. "It is" I spoke clearly, squaring my shoulders.

"You are hereby accused by your peers of withholding your existence from your mate. Is this true?"

Another long pause. A pause that stretched on for an uncomfortable minute, as I surveyed my options. Anger had blossomed within me, at the unfairness of it all. I was so close. So close to leaving and never having to bother these people again.

Stubbornness and the futility of my situation became my ally. I stood there refusing to answer.

"Miss Tyler?" The man pressed, clearly not used to disobedience of any kind. A cold steeliness was in his voice, as opposed to cool detachment. Something about this situation was angering him, and I could guess what. I'd been here long enough to know more of what the mate bond meant to these people... I was on dangerous ground for my behaviour and had long realised my reasoning to stay silent would be unlikely to be understood.

But, I had nothing to be ashamed of. I raised my chin and did the unthinkable; I looked the Gamma in the face and stared openly at him in defiance. Still saying nothing.

His eyes flashed yellow before returning human. A menacing growl slipped out of his throat. I could head Edna and Alice's sharp intake of breath.

"If that's the way you want to do this – take her to Lake Fields."

My resolve to say nothing almost slipped. I wasn't going to be given a choice. Lake Fields was the largest Werewolf hospital in the city and there could be only one reason they'd want to take me there now and not some prison.

My implant was going to be forced out.


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